Friends, Families Search For News

As reports of casualties from a devastating earthquake tripled Saturday, Indians in South Florida dreadfully awaited word from family and friends still in the country.

"We have been making phone calls all day yesterday and today," said Deenbandhu Chokshi of Pembroke Pines.

His niece, who is seven months pregnant, was still missing Saturday night. She had traveled to Bhuj, 12 miles from the epicenter of the quake, a week ago to visit her parents, Chokshi said.

"Nobody's been able to contact her," he said. "We hope she's OK. We just don't know."

The quake reduced much of Bhuj to rubble, cracking roads and felling houses, buildings and temples.

Throughout South Florida, Indians called their homeland and each other, searching for any news of loved ones.

"Everybody's doing what we're doing, trying to call people," said Chokshi, president of the Association of Performing Arts in India.

Joy Pyngolil, pastor of the St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church in Hollywood, watched news reports Saturday with ever-increasing death tolls, from 6,000 to 10,000 to as many as 16,000.

"Almost 200 children died when people were running in a stampede," Pyngolil said. "It is hard to digest."

Indian organizations in South Florida planned to collect donations to help in the relief efforts.

The South Florida Hindu Temple in Davie, which is celebrating its third anniversary today, will announce a fund-raising drive at services.

"A lot of our community members are affected," said Dr. Vinod Patel, the temple's treasurer. "We will announce there's a lot of help needed."

Punam Sirpal, president of the Association of Indians in America in South Florida, plans to encourage members in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties to donate money and support a blood drive.

"You watch the news, and the number of victims keeps increasing," said Sirpal, of Atlantis. "It's unbelievable."

Because of widespread destruction to India's roads and transportation system, local organizations were unable to send food, medicine or clothing.

"We're urging people to send a donation so they can buy what's actually necessary," said Jayant Shah, president of the Indian Religious Cultural Center in Coral Springs. His organization sent out 4,000 faxes asking people to "open your heart and wallet to help our fellow brothers and sisters."

"In Bhuj, 75 percent of the people lost their livelihoods," Shah said. "It's such a tragedy."

Sally Kestin can be reached at skestin@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4510.